448 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November J4,188T 
varieties. A large number of varieties was shown for certificates, the 
following being honoured :—Charles Gibson, incurved, a bronze sport 
from Mrs. Norman Davis (Mizen) ; Maggie Mitchell, Japanese (W. and 
G. Drover) ; Miss Annie Lowe, pale yellow sport from the Anemone 
Lady Marguerite (Lowe) ; Agnes Flight, White Japanese (Flight) ; 
Album Fimbriatum (Flight) ; and Primula Emperor (Cannell). 
SOFT WATER FOR GARDENS. 
Can you use your powerful influence through the Journal to 
induce owners of property to think of the soft water supply ? We, 
like many others, during the greater part of last summer were in 
great straits as to a supply of water, for many weeks we had to rely 
upon what was carted a long distance, and that of the hardest spring 
water. Now, after a very moderate rainfall all our tanks are full 
and running to waste, whereas if it could only be stored enough 
could be secured to take us well through the driest of summers and 
of the best possible quality. I think if the matter were taken up 
in the Journal it would induce many employers to consider the 
matter. It is surprising how soon many forget the past as soon as 
the rain comes, and how little notice is taken of suggestions. It 
will take many a day to obliterate from my mind the trials of the 
past summer. I believe nearly every place would catch enough 
water for all purposes if only tanks large enough were made to hold 
it. I should be pleased to see the thing well taken up by some of 
your more enlightened correspondents. I think great good would 
be the result. We are much indebted to you for many things that 
have already appeared in the Journal.—C. E. W. 
GROS COLMAN GRAPES NOT COLOURING. 
At this season of the year it is pleasant to see a few lines on Grapes. 
Your editorial reply on this subject is good, yet with your permission I 
would add thereto. 
In the case quoted on page 428 I at first thought the fact of these 
Gros Colman being started early on the 15th of January would have 
insured a certainty in colouring, and I will not say it would not have 
been even with the previous year’s treatment with a grower who knew 
the requirements of this peculiar yet valuable keeping Grape. It is not, 
however, heat, sun, ventilation, manure, water, or any one thing that 
will colour a crop of good fruit, but a combination of all. While 
acknowledging the quantity of sun heat in the short Jubilee summer 
I do not think that generally this did the good that the same amount 
of sun would have done over a longer period. Drought, and conse¬ 
quently a short supply of water, did not benefit the growing of Gros 
Colman. What this has done in some places is to present a crop of very 
indifferently coloured Grapes and Vines almost leafless in September. 
That the heavy crop of 1886 has left its mark is a fact, and bad “A 
Young Head Gardener” left six bunches only this year the chances 
even then would have been against him. No Grape shows more the re¬ 
sult of overcropping than this variety. We might one year have 30 or 
40 lbs., the next 10 lbs., b. sides the Vine showing the evil other ways. 
Deficiency of flavour at once tells me this variety did not receive its 
proper treatment. Advice can be given and taken freely on the subject 
of colouring, but no hard or fixed laws can be laid down.— Stephen 
Castle, West Lynn . 
MEASURING CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
In answer to your correspondent (page 425), I may say that although 
the board_ for measuring Chrysanthemums gives only the horizontal 
diameter, it is the easiest possible matter to measure the depth of any 
flower when placed on the board. For this purpose we have an ordinary 
2 feet rule (four fold), the t * o ends (marked 1 to 0 and 18 to 24 inches) 
are turned down at right angles, the whole thus forming three sides of an 
oblong, or perhaps I should say one side and two ends. The ends are 
dropped down on opposite sides of the board until the horizontal (inter¬ 
mediate 12 inches) length rests on the summit of the flower. The depth 
is then read at either end, counting of course from the angles. By a 
combination of the board and rule the “ actual size ” of any flower can 
be gauged, but I have yet to learn of any contrivance that will accurately 
gauge the “quality” of a flower. Perhaps your correspondent will 
oblige.— Thos. Winkworth. 
CATTLEYA LAWRENCIANA ROSEA SUPERBA. 
Cattleya Lawrenciana has already become a favourite with 
orchidists. and fine varieties have appeared in several collections. Pro¬ 
bably the best of these is that depicted in the woodcut (fig. 55) which 
Messrs. Veitch & Sons have described under the varietal name given 
above in their monograph of Cattleya and Laelia just issued. The 
illustration was prepared from the plant in Baron Schroder’s collection 
at The Dell, Egham, and faithfully represents the specimen there grown 
in a small basket, showing at once the sturdy habit and floriferous 
character of the plant. The flowers, too, are of an extremely rich rosy 
purple, lighter in the centre of the lip. 
Referring to the history of C. Lawrenciana, Messrs. Veitch state 
that it was “ first discovered by Sir R. Schomburgk during his ex¬ 
plorations of British Guiana, 1840-44, in the sandstone region of the 
Roracina, who, however, mistook it for C. Mossiae. It was re-discovered 
in the spring of 1884 by Mr. Seidl while collecting Orchids for Messrs. 
Sander & Co. It was also met with afterwards by Mr. Everard im 
Thurrn while botanically exploring the same region.” 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
FALMOUTH.— November 5th, 10th, and 11th. 
A highly satisfactory Show was held in the Polytechnic Hall on the 
above dates in aid of the Falmouth Building Observatory Fund. The 
Japanese included some handsome blooms, but the incurved were not shown 
at their best, being unusually late. Beside the competing exhibits Mr. 
Prideaux Brune of Padstow (gardener, Mr. W. Brown), sent somehandsome 
specimens, which were generally admired. They included twenty-four 
Japanese, eighteen incurved, twelve reflexed, six large-flowered Anemone, 
and twelve Pompons of the best varieties. Gr at praise is due to the 
Executive Committee, and also to the obliging and energetic Hon. Secretary 
(Mr. J. P. Cregoe) for the excellent manner in which the Show was 
conducted. 
Cdt Blooms (open classes).—For thirty-six incurved blooms in not less 
than eighteen varieties, or more than two blooms of one variety, the prizes 
were a silver medal and bronze medal (those issued by the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society). The only exhibitor was Mr. J. Britton, gardener to Mrs. 
Hodge, Menhay, to whom the first prize was awarded ; his blooms were 
very good, including fine examples of Novelty, Emily Dale, Mrs. Naish, 
Mrs. G. Bundle, Hero of Stoke Newington, and Empress Eugenie. For 
twelve incurved Mr. J. Britton also won first honours; Mr. J. Jolliffe, 
girdener to Mrs. Norway, Lawn Ciiffe, Flushing, wa3 second ; and Mr. W. 
Jenkin, gardener to Mr. A. F. Fynn, third. The reflexed vaiieties made a 
pleasing display, Miss Hotkin, F.ushing, having the best twelve blooms of 
Felicity, Caevalier Domage, Cullingforli, Temp'e of Solomon, La Belle 
Blonde, and Webb’s Queer. Mr. R. Johnson, gardener to Mrs. A. Fox, was 
second, and Mr. W. Jenkin, third. The principal class, No. 17, was that for 
twenty-four Japane-e blooms, distinct varieties ; here the competition was 
remarkably keen, the flowers being substantial and richly coloured. 
Eventually premier honours were given to Mr. J.Bishop,gardener to Mr. F. 
Hearle Cock, Tullimaar, Mr. J. Britton being a remarkably good second, 
and Mr. R. Johnson third. The twenty-four varieties as exhibited by Mr. 
Bishop‘(silver medal) were—Peter the Great, Source d’Or, M. de Sevin, 
Punch, Soleil Levant, Elaine, Comte de Germiny, Wm. Robinson, Fulgore, 
Coquette de Castille, M. N. Davis, Maiden’s Blush, M. Ghys, Bouquet Fait, 
M. Astorg, Magnum Bonum, Reverie, M. Lacroix, J. Delaux, M. H. Payne, 
LTntrouvable, Beau'ddes Jardins,Lady Selborne, and Bend Or. For twelve 
Japanese blooms, distinct varieties, Mr. J. Jolliffe was first, his Wm. 
Robinson, Brise du Matin, and M. Audiguier were of great size and Bub- 
stance, Mr. J. Biitton was second, and Mr. W. Jenkin third. The large- 
flowered Anemone blooms were rather small, a second prize was awarded to 
Mr. R. Johnson. In the Japanese Anemone class the competition was 
keener, but the blooms on the whole were small and iDfetior to those of last 
year. Mr. J. Jolliffe again secured a firsq Mr. W. Jenkin being second, and 
Mr. R. Johnson third. The Pompons were not well represented, Mr. W. 
Jenkin obtaining a second, and Mr. R. Johnson a third. 
In the amateurs’ classes Miss Hockin obtained the whole of the prizes 
awarded; her Japanese blooms were lovely specimens, Tiiomphe dela Rue 
des Caalets, M. Lacroix, and M. Audiguier being very notable. The 
incurved were rath r sma'l, but Mr. Bunn and Emily Dale were well grown. 
Extra prizes were also given to Mr. J. Bishop and Mr. J. Britton. Mr. 
Bishop's Lord Alcester and Empress of India were distinguished by their 
neatness, size of florets, and so’idity. 
Plants. —The groups of Chrysanthemums arranged for~effect were one 
of the exceptionally beautiful features of the Exhibition, occupying the 
whole centre of the Hall, and the Bide and end galleries. Class 1 was that 
for a group of Cnrysantkemums, twenty varieties, arranged in a Bpace not 
exceeding 80 square feet, quality and general effect to be the leading 
features. Four competitors arranged groups, but the first honours were 
given to Mr. W. Ruse, gardener to Marlborough Esta e, whose plants were 
exceedingly good and tastefully arranged. Mr. W. Jenkin was a very fair 
second, while third honours were divided between Mr. M. H. Richards, 
gardener to Mr. W. H. Lean, Atmyn Villa, and Mr. W. H. Harris. For six 
specimens, 1 irge flowered vari ties on single stems (Japanese excluded), 
Mr. W. Jenkin was first, Mr. M. H. Richards second, and Mr. J. Britton 
third. Mr. M. H. Richards obtained first for his six specimens, Japanese 
varieties, while Mr. W. Jenkin scored another fir^t for his three Japanese 
varieties. Mr. Kent was first in Pompons, and Mr. M. H. Richards first for 
single special n Pompon. A special prize (£L Is.) offered by Mr. W. Col- 
cheBter, Ipswich, for the best specimen plant in the Exhibition, in the pro¬ 
duction of which “Pure Iehthemic Guano” has been used, was awarded to 
Mr. W. Jenkin. 
The competing amateurs were Uwer in number than last year, but the 
quality of the exhibits was far superior. Mr. A. E. Skinner, with his well 
trained plants, carried off all the chief prizes. H s exhibits were of such 
exceptional excellence that had he competed in the open classes in all pro¬ 
bability he would have wrested some of the prizes from the professional 
gardeners. His specimen plants showed careful attention, beirig neatly 
arranged and well grown. 
DEVIZES.— November 15th. 
Although conducted and advertised in a very unpretentious manner, 
this Show was really one of the best held in the southern counties, and had 
it been more generally known what good prizes are given for cut blooms 
the competition would have been still keener. Mr. Thomas King, the 
